UT MARTIN PRESSES PAST IN-STATE RIVAL CHATTANOOGA TO POST 78-51 VICTORY

Sunday, December 8

Martin, Tenn.

2 p.m.

UT Martin

3-5

Chattanooga

1-9

Chattanooga

UT Martin

UT MARTIN PRESSES PAST IN-STATE RIVAL CHATTANOOGA TO POST 78-51 VICTORY

12/8/2019 5:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team used a stingy defensive effort and strong second quarter to cruise past in-state rival Chattanooga by a score of 78-51 on Sunday afternoon.

The Skyhawks (3-5) overcame a 15-point deficit in the opening minutes of the first quarter before rolling off a 35-9 run over the final minutes of the first and throughout the second quarter to take a 37-26 lead into halftime. UT Martin would push its lead out to 14 heading into the final quarter before pulling away late in the fourth quarter to post a 78-51 victory.

UT Martin shot a season-high 47.9 percent from the field while also notching season highs in assists, steals and forced turnovers while winning the battle of the boards. The Skyhawks would benefit off their defense, tallying 28 turnovers and 18 steals which turned into 29 points – including 19 in transition.

Reigning OVC Player of the Week Chelsey Perry led all scorers once against with her second consecutive 24-point effort while tallying eight rebounds and three steals. Trailing right behind her was sophomore Damiah Griffin who tallied a career-high with 19 points while notching eight rebounds. Freshman Dasia Young also scored in double figures for the first time in her young career with 12 points off the bench.

Gallery: (12/8/2019) WBB vs. Chattanooga

"It was nice to get a win when you consider the way we did it," UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan said. "We started out really flat trying to build upon the way we played at Southern Illinois and then had to completely change our gameplan. We started pressing which made our effort turn around and we started playing hard. We are going to have to figure out a way to play harder than our opponent and for three quarters, we did that today."

Chattanooga (1-9) dropped its seventh straight contest behind a tough shooting performance in which the team shot 32.6 percent from the field. After jumping out to an early lead which saw the Mocs make their four of their first five baskets, the team struggled to shoot just 25.6 percent for the final 36 minutes of the game. As a whole, the Mocs would have three players score in double figures behind Lakleyn Bouldin (14), Abbey Cornelius (11) and Bria Dial (10).

UT Martin return to action in just over a week with the program's annual Kid Game on Monday, Dec. 16 against Lipscomb. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.